Keith Gater pounces from quality escape for first victory of season at Dungarvan GP

Keith Gater has plenty of time to celebrate his first win if the season and the latest for his Aquablue squad at the Dungarvan GP (Photo: Dave Coleman - Dc Images)

By Brian Canty

Keith Gater has taken a brilliant win in the Cyclesports-sponsored Dungarvan CC GP this afternoon. The Aquablue rider edged out Eddie Barry (Fitscience-Liquidworx), with Gater's teammate Dylan Foley in third.

Gater, who will go to the National Vets' Road Race Championships as one of the favourites in two weeks, showed he's in form for a tilt at the title race when he successfully made it into the day's breakaway.

And with the benefit of Foley in the escape, they had the racing smarts to get the better of Barry despite a brave challenge from him.

It has been a brilliant year so far for the Cork-based Aquablue team with most of their leading lights racking up the wins. But Gater has flown somewhat below the radar up until now.

He has been placed in several events this season but today took the win from a superb field in the main event and will go to the nationals, with strong teammates Timmy Barry and Joe Fenlon, full of confidence.

Today's break was a nine-man affair, with Gater being joined by Barry and Foley as well as Brian Cullen (Barrow Wheelers), Sean McKenna (UCD CC) and Hugh Mulhearne (Iverk produce Carrick Wheelers), amongst others.

That nine-man group worked very well and with most of the big teams represented, the chase behind all but stalled.